Flu deaths almost quadruple on last year as hospital admissions soar

The number of deaths involving the flu is almost quadruple what they were at the same time last year, figures have shown.

Figures released by the National Records of Scotland on Thursday show that 71 people died in the first week of 2025, and flu was mentioned on their death certificates. The number in the first week of 2024 was 18.

It comes as NHS Grampian saw the number of flu patients increase by 440% compared to last year.

The health board said there are 70 people in their hospitals with the virus – with around one in every 13 beds in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary being used.

In the first week of 2025, over 1,020 people were hospitalized with the virus across the country.

This figure is a decrease from the record 1,596 people hospitalised in the last week of the year.

The fall came despite an increase in people going to their GP “for influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infections” in the first week of January, when practices reopened after the festive break

Public Health Scotland has warned that a decline in the number of lab-confirmed cases and positive tests in the community could be related to festive closures.

Figures show 181 people were subject to emergency hospitalisation due to RSV in the first week of the year – a decrease of 32% from the previous week.

Public Health Scotland has said that around two-thirds of those at risk for flu and three-quarters of those at risk for Covid have still not been vaccinated.

Vaccine uptake is lower for both flu and Covid than the same time last year.

Health secretary Neil Gray said there are still “significant winter pressures” on the NHS.

Mr Gray said: “Although the latest statistics show hospitalisations because of flu have decreased, it is clear that the health and social care system continues to face significant winter pressures, including cases of influenza A, which remain high.

“Everyone can reduce the chance of catching flu or spreading it to others with good hand hygiene and other precautions, staying home if you have respiratory symptoms and, most crucially, getting the vaccination if eligible.

“The groups eligible for the flu vaccine this winter are more likely to experience serious illness or complications from flu due to older age or underlying health conditions.”

“I therefore urge all those who are eligible for vaccinations this winter to come forward as soon as possible to protect themselves.”